Sociology & Anthropology Requirements

Required for the Major in Sociology/Anthropology: A minimum of 10 courses will constitute the major; at least eight of these courses (and all the core courses listed in the tracks below) must be fall and spring courses taught at Middlebury (e.g., not winter term courses or transfer credits). No more than two electives may be introductory 0100-level courses. We strongly recommend that students planning a study abroad experience take at least one area studies course. Students must complete a methods course (SOAN 0301 or SOAN 0302) before they begin either SOAN 0700 or SOAN 0710 in order to prepare for this senior research and writing project.

There are three tracks a student may choose from:

Track 1: Sociology/Anthropology consists of SOAN 0103, SOAN 0105, SOAN 0301 or SOAN 0302, and SOAN 0305 or SOAN 0306. Students must also take a 0400-level seminar and complete a senior project (SOAN 0700 or SOAN 0710), and these requirements may be in either sociology or anthropology. In addition, each sociology/anthropology track major will take four electives in the department.

Track 2: Anthropology consists of SOAN 0103, either SOAN 0301 or 0302, SOAN 0306, a 0400-level anthropology seminar and a senior project (SOAN 0700 or 0710). In addition, anthropology track majors will take five electives in the department, of which at least four must be anthropology, and of which at least one must be in archaeology or linguistic anthropology.

Track 3: Sociology consists of SOAN 0105, either SOAN 0301 or 0302, SOAN 0305, a 0400-level sociology seminar and a senior project (SOAN 0700 or 0710). In addition, sociology track majors will take five electives in the department, of which at least four must be sociology.

Joint Majors in Sociology/AnthropologyJoint majors can pursue a combined Sociology/Anthropology track, or they may specialize in the disciplines of Sociology or Anthropology. No more than one elective may be taken outside of the regular fall and spring semesters at Middlebury (e.g., as a winter term course or transfer credit). Any departures from this program must be approved by the department chair.

Joint track 2:Anthropology consists of seven or eight courses, depending on senior work: SOAN 0103, SOAN 0301 or SOAN 0302, SOAN 0306, SOAN 0700 or SOAN 0710, and three electives, of which at least two must be in Anthropology.

Joint track 3:Sociology consists of seven or eight courses, depending on senior work: SOAN 0105, SOAN 0301 or SOAN 0302, SOAN 0305, SOAN 0700 or SOAN 0710, and three electives, of which at least two must be in Sociology.

Requirements for the Joint Major with Environmental Studies: See the listing for the Environmental Sociology/Anthropology focus under the Program in Environmental Studies.

Sociology Minor: SOAN 0105 and four elective courses in SOAN, no more than one of which can be at the 0100-level and no more than one of which can be an anthropology course. No courses may be taken outside of the regular fall and spring semesters at Middlebury (e.g., no winter term courses or transfer credits).Anthropology Minor: SOAN 0103 and four elective courses in SOAN, no more than two of which can be at the 0100-level and no more than one of which can be a sociology course. No courses may be taken outside of the regular fall and spring semesters at Middlebury (e.g., no winter term courses or transfer credits).Senior Project in Sociology/Anthropology: Each student must complete an independent research project of at least one semester. The senior program typically consists of either a one-semester senior project (SOAN 0700, one credit, usually 25-40 pages) or a two-semester senior project (SOAN 0710, two credits, usually 60-100 pages). Students who wish to work on a project for more than one semester must present their progress for review by two professors who will decide whether the project qualifies for extended study. A one-semester project can be either in the fall or spring semesters; a two-semester project is usually in the fall and winter semesters or in the winter and spring semesters. Variation from these patterns is possible by permission from the department. A mandatory non-credit senior seminar for both SOAN 0700 and SOAN 0710 begins the first week of fall semester and meets as necessary during the rest of the year. Senior project requirements for joint majors and other special circumstances will be approved in consultation with both departments. A SOAN 0700 project qualifies for honors after both the project adviser and a second reader from the SOAN faculty agree that it deserves an A- or an A. A SOAN 0710 project qualifies for honors after an oral defense with the project advisor, a second reader from within the sociology/anthropology department, and (optional) a third reader from another part of the College or the local community. If this committee agrees that the SOAN 0710 project deserves a B+, the student receives honors; if the grade is A-, the student receives high honors; and if the grade is A, the student receives highest honors. Departmental Honors: To receive honors, students must a) achieve a minimum of a B average in all sociology/anthropology courses and b) achieve an A or A- for their one-semester project (SOAN 0700), or an A, A- or B+ for their two-semester project (SOAN 0710).